New 8" driver needed - suggestions please

[franzbassist]

I think one of the drivers in my Ashdown Neo 4x8 is on the fritz, so I'm investigating a replacement for it.

The fitted driver is made by Sica, 8 ohms impedance, and I assume rated 250 watts given that the cab is 1000 watts.

There's only one 8" driver on their site, the [url="http://www.sicaspeakers.com/pl8b25s.html"]PL8B25S[/url], so that would seem the obvious candidate, but the thing is I can't see any of these anywhere online (I have an email into HotRox, their UK dealer), so I was wondering if anyone could recommend a suitable alternative?

Cheers

Gareth

[Mr. Foxen]

Tried asking Ashdown?

[franzbassist]

Oops, yes I have, and was told they won't be able to help with a direct replacement.

[Mr. Foxen]

Could they give you a spec?

[Toasted]

[quote name='walbassist' post='1337137' date='Aug 11 2011, 11:33 PM']Oops, yes I have, and was told they won't be able to help with a direct replacement.[/quote]


How annoying.

[franzbassist]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1337150' date='Aug 11 2011, 11:58 PM']Could they give you a spec?[/quote]

I will certainly ask!

[stevie]

[quote name='walbassist' post='1337137' date='Aug 11 2011, 11:33 PM']Oops, yes I have, and was told they won't be able to help with a direct replacement.[/quote]
Isn't there an EU regulation that requires manufacturers to supply spare parts for 10 years after discontinuing a product? There certainly used to be. Anyway, it's clear that Ashdown simply couldn't be bothered. We seem to be getting more and more reports like this about Ashdown.
As for the driver you mentioned, it's highly unlikely that they would fit a driver of this quality to their cab. To make sure, take one out of your 4x8 and compare them. I'd wager yours has a pressed steel chassis.

Edited August 12, 2011 by stevie

[Mr. Foxen]

Pressed chassis makes pretty much no odds to the spec, it could be an OEM equivalent in the ways that matter.

[franzbassist]

GUy has told me that one I suggested is a very good replacement, so I guess that's what I go for if i) I can find one ii) it isn't silly expensive!

Edited August 29, 2011 by walbassist

[Musicman20]

Have they discontinued the cabs?! Surely they can source you a replacement?!

[franzbassist]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1337356' date='Aug 12 2011, 10:43 AM']Have they discontinued the cabs?! Surely they can source you a replacement?![/quote]

Yes, these cabs are discontinued. I assume they have no spares in stock, otherwise I would hope they would have offered me one, so it can only be that the price of neodymium skyrocketing is scaring them off buying any!

[stevie]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1337348' date='Aug 12 2011, 10:37 AM']Pressed chassis makes pretty much no odds to the spec, it could be an OEM equivalent in the ways that matter.[/quote]
If the Ashdown driver has a pressed steel chassis, then it's not the same driver. It could be the OEM equivalent and it could not, but there's no point in guessing.
You can probably get the information you need by finding out what's printed on the Ashdown driver or by asking Ashdown straight out. You're going to have to take the faulty driver out anyway - you might as well do it now. It might be the driver you mentioned earlier or it might be something else. The Ashdown Sica drivers I've looked at had the model number printed on them.

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='stevie' post='1337399' date='Aug 12 2011, 11:14 AM']by asking Ashdown straight out.[/quote]

Hence that being the first suggestion I made, rather than discounting the suggested driver based on it looking a bit different.

[franzbassist]

Hi guys

Thanks for all the help. Having had the driver out I can confirm based on the markings on it that it is a Z005190, spec [url="http://h-audio.de/lautsprecherdaten/sica/8%20Inch/Z005190.pdf"]here[/url].

[stevie]

[quote name='walbassist' post='1337408' date='Aug 12 2011, 11:20 AM']Thanks for all the help. Having had the driver out I can confirm based on the markings on it that it is a Z005190, spec [url="http://h-audio.de/lautsprecherdaten/sica/8%20Inch/Z005190.pdf"]here[/url].[/quote]
If Ashdown are not going to help (which is a shame, because their spare parts prices are reasonable) you are reliant on Hotrox to get you one. It shouldn't be too expensive - £65 at a very rough guess. You might also like to try JHS in Leeds, as it seems HK Audio also use exactly the same driver in one of their products and they might have one in stock.
I'm assuming you've checked the cab wiring, just in case ......

[franzbassist]

[quote name='stevie' post='1337473' date='Aug 12 2011, 12:02 PM']If Ashdown are not going to help (which is a shame, because their spare parts prices are reasonable) you are reliant on Hotrox to get you one. It shouldn't be too expensive - £65 at a very rough guess. You might also like to try JHS in Leeds, as it seems HK Audio also use exactly the same driver in one of their products and they might have one in stock.
I'm assuming you've checked the cab wiring, just in case ......[/quote]

Thanks for this. What should I be looking for in the wiring?

[stevie]

[quote name='walbassist' post='1337646' date='Aug 12 2011, 02:07 PM']Thanks for this. What should I be looking for in the wiring?[/quote]
Loose connections, that kind of thing. It would also be a good idea to measure the driver with an ohmmeter to make sure it is actually dead. If you don't have access to one, swap the faulty driver with a good one to make sure it is actually faulty and not a loose wire or dodgy connection.

Edited August 12, 2011 by stevie

[BassBunny]

Get it repaired at Wembley loudspeakers.
At least you know when repaired it will match the other 3.
[url="http://www.wembleyloudspeaker.com/"]http://www.wembleyloudspeaker.com/[/url]

[franzbassist]

[quote name='BassBunny' post='1338334' date='Aug 13 2011, 12:49 AM']Get it repaired at Wembley loudspeakers.
At least you know when repaired it will match the other 3.
[url="http://www.wembleyloudspeaker.com/"]http://www.wembleyloudspeaker.com/[/url][/quote]

Thanks that is a good idea. Probably cheaper than buying new too, even if I could source one!